Brackley Town 4-1 Ramsgate FC
Henry Newcombe has some insane ball knowledge, Lewis Gard is a psychic magician and Tom Clifford likes the Teletubbies…
It was no ordinary weekend as the team travelled up to Northamptonshire on the Friday before the game for match prep and some much needed team bonding, which was greatly missed in pre-season. Thanks to chairman James Lawson, an overnight stay in the wonderful Whittlebury Park Hotel and Spa greeted the players after the long trek for Saturday’s 3rd Qualifying Round FA Cup tie with Brackley Town.
After some relaxing in the pool and spa and a bit of golf, the lads had an evening of quizzes and other games before heading off to their rooms. A nice walk and tactics meeting in the morning that included initiation songs for the two new lads, OJ and Bailey, as well as a boy band number from the media team, sent the Rams on their way to their game versus a strong National League North side.
Over 100 Ramsgate supporters also made the long journey, and up until the 84th minute they were looking forward to a home replay with the game locked at 1-1.
It had started with the home side trying to stamp their authority on proceedings, but they were limited to a few long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by Tom Hadler. The Rams were forced into an early reshuffle after Joe Ellul went down with a calf injury mid way through the first half. He was replaced by Tom Carlse.
The first big chance came soon after and, if not for a fantastic finger tip save, Benedict Bioletti’s curling effort from a clever reverse pass from Joe Taylor would’ve given the Rams the lead. This buoyed the away side, and they quickly took control of the game, however against the run of play the hosts took the lead. A quick break saw the ball bounce around in the area, and Town’s Danny Newton reacted quickest to strike cleanly into the bottom corner.
The second half continued much like the first, with Ramsgate controlling possession. They were quickly rewarded, with TJ Jadama winning the ball back in the area and prodding it to Tom Carlse, whose goal bound effort was saved. Joe Taylor was alert though, and steered the rebound into the unguarded net.
From then on there looked to be only one winner, but despite lots of endeavour no real clear cut chances could be created. Brackley’s only threat came from set pieces, and it was a lofted ball into the area that was knocked down to Scott Pollock to fire the ball home on 84 minutes that was to be the pivotal point in the match.
The Rams piled the pressure on, committing bodies forward in the hope for an equaliser, but a dubious goal from a cross and another breakaway goal flattered the NLN team
somewhat and sent Ramsgate out the competition.
Team: Hadler, Ellul (Carsle 18) Leader, Judd, Clifford, Bioletti (Elito 67) Gard (Jackson 90+5), Taylor, Deacon (Walters 67), Paxman (Ajayi 67), Jadama, Taylor
Subs not used: Newcombe, McGill
